A Diverse Community of Women Entrepreneurs

Since it's inception in 2005, Count Me In has proudly helped a diverse community of women entrepreneurs live their dreams by giving them the tools and support needed to build their businesses into successful, thriving enterprises that benefit their families and communities and inspire scores of other women to take steps toward taking control of their true potential.

Among these women are accomplished and inspiring Latinas from all over the country who continue to make strides in a variety of industries.

Rosana Santos Calambichis - 2006 Make Mine a Million $ Business Awardee

“Being part of the Make Mine a Million $ Business community is so empowering!”

Big Chef is a Green Certified, web-based food manufacturer in Hollywood, Florida. The company specializes in hors d’oeuvres – from classic to contemporary to ethnically inspired – for individuals as well as hotels, convention centers, country clubs and stadiums.

Rosana is a Brazilian native raised in the metropolis of Sao Paulo where she obtained her degree in Family Law. Believing in education beyond the classroom, she traveled, residing in Cali, Colombia and Angola, Africa. She moved to Florida where she attained an MBA in Global Business. Ultimately, her understanding of different cultures enhanced her knowledge of international business and fed her appreciation of world cuisine.

Inspired by her mother’s accomplishments as an award-winning chef and published author and her father’s successful attitude and leadership; Santos decided to combine her business expertise and food interest with Calambichis, her partner, restaurant and people experience; leading to the acquisition of Big Chef in November 2003. Since then the emerging enterprise has diversified and expanded.  

How Rosanna grew with M3

“’Believe in you’ - They do!  The M3 community provided us with connections and access to resources that helped me improve my business skills, diversified our target market, and maintain steady growth despite of the economy.  It helped us realize we can not only impact our community but the American economy.”

Learn more about Rosana and her business at www.bigschefonline.com.

Patricia Bonilla - 2010 Make Mine a Million $ Business Awardee

"M3 helped me learn to be more competitive"

Lunacon Construction Group is a Hispanic-Women Owned Organization, providing a broad range of construction management and general contracting services through a "hands-on" approach that thrives on hard work, dedication and the development of a great level of trustworthiness on the client's behalf. With more than 45 years of collective experience in the construction industry, Lunacon's principals - Emilio

Criado and Patricia Bonilla - have successfully managed commercial projects with

contract value in excess of $400 million dollars.

Lunacon distinguishes itself by providing unparalleled service, innovative solutions, and on-time results, and by exceeding client expectations while delivering safe, high-quality projects.

Lunacon's principals focus on success during "day to day" operations, to guarantee that the common goal is achieved. This is accomplished through strong leadership, extensive job knowledge, creativity, proactive management, team building strategies, financial strength, effective communication and continued education.

Lunacon is a company built on faith with a commitment to the community, understanding that helping the disadvantaged - whether through hiring or community involvement - can pave the way for Lunacon to reach its goal as an icon in the industry.

How Patricia grew with M3

Growing a construction company during an economic downturn is no easy feat, but that’s exactly what Patricia has done, significantly increasing her revenues and expanding her business from three to 27 employees within a year of becoming an M3 Awardee. With the growth, her company has completed several high profile projects including incorporating LEED certification standards for facilities at Miami International Airport. She credits the professional coaching gained through M3 in helping her succeed in a competitive, male dominated field and has already secured $5 million in new contacts for 2011.

“The coaching received from the program has helped my partner and I think outside the box when it comes to approaching our work load in regard to resources. We truly thank Count Me In for this great opportunity.”

Learn more about Patricia and her business at www.lunaconcorp.com.

Kimberly Martinez - 2006 Make Mine a Million $ Business Awardee

"From Financial Services to Functional Fashion"

Bonitas International, based in Newbury, OH, is a hub of relentlessly innovative design collections. Their flagship line of BooJee Beads™ revolutionized the look and design of those boring shoelace style lanyards for employee badges and conference credentials, turning them into fashion accessories workers want to own. With a significant role to play in the medical, education, transportation, and government industries, there is, frankly, no end to the professions that need these functional

designs. Their collections can be found at over 4000 retail partners throughout the US and Canada, as well as online at www.BooJeeBeads.com.

With these inventive solutions to life’s little fashion dilemmas, as well as their original Guardian Angel line of ID Bracelets for families, it is no wonder Bonitas International was a Finalist for "Most Innovative Company of the Year" in the prestigious Stevie Awards for Women in Business. They have been featured in articles and “must have” lists worldwide, including the New York Times, USA Today, Business Week, Woman’s World, and the Wall Street Journal. You may have even have seen them on the Today Show, Fox News, or MSNBC. They are a certified women owned business (WBEC) and proud winner of the Make mine a $Million™ Business Award, sponsored by Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence and OPEN from American Express.

How Kimberly grew with M3

Kimberly built the first part of her professional life in the financial sector as a senior executive with Fortune 500 companies. After being downsized, she joined forces with her sister-in-law, Lisa Harrington, to build her own financial plan. A pediatric nurse in Cincinnati, OH, Lisa rebelled against the boring shoelace-style ID lanyards she had to wear and started designing hand beaded, necklace style lanyards. Soon fellow employees became customers. Kimberly saw the opportunity to take Lisa’s fun design idea to a much larger audience and a thriving family business born.

Even with her extensive corporate experience, Kimberly found a wealth of resources through the M3 program to help build and sustain the growth of Bonitas International. She especially benefited from the professional coaching in developing a business plan that supported her personal income goals. As a mother of three, she has also found the M3 community to be an invaluable support in finding work-life balance solutions.

“Having access to a network of like-minded women has been one of the biggest benefits. M3 taught us to work smart and dream big and we want to encourage other women take advantage of all the program has to offer.”


Learn more about Kimberly and her business at www.bonitasinternational.com